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Florida's teachers aren't paid very well. Our state ranks 46th in the nation for average teacher compensation, according to the National Education Association. That's a major reason why we're facing a teacher shortage in the coming years.

Today's public school teachers are asked to do far more than was the case 10, 20 years ago; teachers see more kids with physical, mental and emotional needs and must often serve as friends, mentors, even surrogate family. Factor in the increase in standardized testing, new worries about school safety and more and you get a profession where the job responsibilities have increased — but the pay hasn't kept up.

People march in support of reforms to Florida's public education system Wednesday, May 15, 2019, in Stuart. The event was organized by the Facebook group page "Reconstruct-ED: A Message to Governor DeSantis," which lists over-testing and low teacher pay among their concerns.(Photo: XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM)

So it's a great idea for DeSantis, and ultimately the Florida Legislature, to consider hiking teacher pay — both as a way to attract more qualified candidates and reward them for the tough jobs they do.

But the devil is going to be in the details. Local teachers unions like the idea of boosting these numbers, but wonder: What about veteran educators?

Said E. David Freeland, president of the St. Lucie County Classroom Teachers Association and Classified Unit: "It’s great that we’re raising the minimal salary to $47,500, but what are we doing for teachers who’ve been here for 20-plus years, teachers who just made it to $48,000?"

Apparently, at least some of them will also see an increase. DeSantis' proposed $603 million budget reportedly includes a pay raise for some 101,000 teachers across the state. But according to the state Department of Education, there are more than 172,000 teachers in Florida.

So who'd miss out? Reportedly, support staff ESE, or "exceptional student education" teachers, those who educate kids with special needs.

Here's another factor to consider: $47,500 is a significantly different salary in Miami than the Panhandle or other parts of the state. Lawmakers will need to weigh cost-of-living factors and geography when deciding this issue.

On Twitter, DeSantis spokeswoman Helen Aguire Ferré said that increased starting pay for teachers "is not the only area of compensation or bonuses that (DeSantis) is looking at, other teacher compensation programs are being reviewed." And she asked us all to "stay tuned."

That's rather cryptic, but it's worth noting that even as DeSantis is talking about boosting teacher pay, Republican Sen. Rob Bradley of Fleming Island has proposed a bill to end the "Best and Brightest" bonus program that rewarded teachers for high scores on ACT and SAT college-entrance exams.

While controversial, that program did provide extra money for many teachers. DeSantis, who has also voiced dissatisfaction with the program, presumably will replace it with something else; but what? And what's that going to cost?

Indeed, the bottom-line question about the DeSantis proposal is the bottom line: Where's all this money coming from?

Will the Legislature, in fact, appropriate enough funding to cover the entirety of the cost? Or will legislators blithely assume individual school districts can find some of the money themselves?

For if the Legislature doesn't step up with the full amount, the idea of boosting teacher pay becomes yet another unfunded mandate, one which individuals school districts will be ill-equipped to fulfill.

That cannot be allowed to happen.

Rather, the governor and the Legislature must step up to the plate with full funding.

Boosting teacher pay amounts to an investment in our collective future, which is why a bigger paycheck is essential not just for beginning teachers — but for all.

Editorial opinions published by TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers are decided collectively by its editorial board. To respond to this editorial with a letter to the editor, email up to 300 words to TCNLetters@TCPalm.com.